Combined valve and switch device



Feb. 6, 1951 L. J. BORDELON COMBINED VALVE AND swmca DEVICE Filed March 51, 1949 (III/IAIIIIIIIIA' fffl l idnu;

JNVENTOR. Lawrence J. Dorda/on B TORNEY Patented Feb. 6, 1951 COMBINED .YALVE AND ,swl'rongnnvlon :Lawrence J. Bordelon, San- Diego,- Galif.,-assignor ..to Consolidated .Vultee Aircraft. Corporation, :San-Diego, Calif., a corporation of DelaLware Application .Marc h131, 1949,lSerialNog 8g564 :12 Claims.

:1 This inventionrelates'to switch and valve'control devicesand-more-particularly to improvements in a unitaryswitoh and valve arrangement. An object of this invention is to provide a unitary switchand valve arrangement havingan improved construction and wherein the switch -and-valveare concurrently operable through the same actuating means.

Another objectof the present invention is the provision of a combined switch and valve device embodyingan improved enclosing housing having a construction whereby fluid, such as air, is passed throughthehousing-bypassing-the switch- -ing-mechanism,and-whereby the passage of said 'fiuid is controllable by the valve.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a unitary'switch and valve device which is ofeconomicalandrsimple construction, which is--durable,- and which further operates in positiveand eificient-manner.

Other :obj ects and features of the -present 'in vention will bereadily apparent to those-skilled in the art from thefollowing specification and appended drawings wherein .isillustrated a preierrediorm of the invention, and in which:

.Figure 1 isra side view ofa combined switch .and valve device embodying the invention.

Figure Zisanend view of the device of Figure 1.

' Figure .3 is-lamenlarged longitudinal. sectional .view. of thedevice.

"Figure a transverser'sectional viewutaken V on the 1ineIV.IVof Figure 3; and

Figures-5 and 6..are perspective viewsof details -.of theswitching mechanism.

As illustrated in. the drawings, thecombined switch and valve device, indicated generally by .the numeral 1.0, comprises a metallic housing ll having a cylindrical. main body portion 12, at one end \of'which'is integrally formed a four sided flange portion. l3, the periphery of which defines. generally, the shape of a square.

Provided at the opposite end .of the cylindrical main body portion [2 is an integral frusto-conical portion 14 .from .;the end .of which extends a threaded connecting .nipple l 5.

-Housing II is provided with acoaxial passage .16 thereinextending-from one extremity thereof .to. the .other. Passage 1 6. opens throughoneend ll of housing I l. andincludes an annular chamber 19 within main .body portion 12, which connects to anannular chamber [8, of smaller diameter, .provided Within'frusto-conical portion. 14. This latter chamber-opens intoan axial opening. extendingpthrough nipple l5. Disposed around the inlet end of annular chamber-l9 is a tapered valve seat Z-Z, the-defining "walls of which-are inclined towardthelongitudinal axis of housing H.

-A generallysquare-shapedcap member or cover "23 is positioned at the open end-ll oi housing (I,

being tightly secured to "flange portion 1 3 *by a pluralityof mounting-studs 24. A- threaded inlet nipple 25 serves toconnect in a "known manner,

the device- I ll to a-usual conduit whereby air'may be led through a co-axial bore-26 provided in cap member 23 to be passedtherefrom.

*Contained within main body portion'lz is an elongated tubular orsleevefm'ember 21 having one end-28 disposedagainst an annular shoulder 3 5 located adjacent the taper ed valve seat 22 and the opposite-end 32fdisposedflush with the end surface of flange portion-I 3. The outer wallsurfaces of sleeve 2l are? adapted to lie contiguous the interior wall surfaces of the annularchamber l8. Fourradially arrangedgroove'sfiii areprovided in the periphery of-sleeve Z'I'and extend longitudinally substahtially the I whole length of V the sleeve2l -from end 28'to a point short of 55 portion; 14.

end- 32 at v which point each groove 33 intersects a transverse bore'34;;which bores 34 are provided i to extend completely throug h "the thickness of the sleevewall. Nearthe end-28 of sleeve-'21,; are

provided another group of iourtr ansverse' bores 35, which extend "through the -thickness ofsleeve 21 and afiord communicationbetween the grooves 33 and the annular. chamber 1 8. It is notedthat the interior Wall-surfaces of mainchamber -l8 actto close the open-sidesof grooves 33 to effect continuous passageways iorfthe length of the grooves 33 and thereby provide communication between the transverse bores fl and the transwhich is adapted to project-into the 0pen'end-32 of sleeve 21.

"An-annular groove3l is formed on boss 36 into which l-the transversebores: 34

open. A plural-ityof transverse bores 3B in: boss 36 connect-the annular; groove 31 --with the=c0- axialbore. 26 through-cap. 23. Withthis arrangethrough transverse bores 38 :and: into peripheral groove-310m bosss'36;.=.-,thislair:is then-fed to the transverse bores 34 and therethrough to the .passagewaysflaffordedby; the grooves 33. From .these passageways this 'air- .passes through transverse bores: 35 .and: into.annu1ar .chamber 1 8.. and thence into smaller annular chamber 19' from which it spills lthroughla plurality discharge .ports 4|, which ports 4l extend through frusto-conical To control the discharge of air from housing ll there is provided a valve 42 for cooperating with the valve seat 22. Valve 42 comprises inwardly tapered Wall surfaces 43 within which is formed an annular groove 44 for carrying a suitable sealing ring 45. The sealing ring 45 is adapted to be pressed upon the inclined wall surfaces of tapered valve seat 22 for sealing engagement therewith. Valve 42 also includes a projecting stem portion 45 which extends into and through a bushing 47 carried within axial opening 2| of nipple i5. The bushing 47 closely receives stem portion 45 to serve as a guide therefor and maintains the valve 42 in alignment with valve seat 22 throughout the co-axial reciprocation thereof. The end 48 of stem 46 extends beyond the end of nipple l and is adapted to be engaged and inwardly moved upon the application of external force thereto by any suitable actuator, not shown.

Located in its entirety within sleeve member 2! is a switching assembly, indicated generally by the numeral 5|.

The switching assembly 5| comprises, as two main elements thereof, a contact carrying structure 52 and an actuator body 53, with contact carrying structure 52 located near end 32 of sleeve member 2'! and actuator body 53 disposed near end 28 thereof. Actuator body 53 is formed of insulating material and embodies a cylindrical portion 54 having integral therewith an annular portion 55 of larger diameter. Formed into the outer wall surfaces of portion 55 is an annular groove 56 within which is fitted a suitable packing or sealing member 51 which is adapted to engage the interior Wall of sleeve 27 to effect an airtight seal. Actuator body 53 is provided with an axial bore 58 which is closed at one end and at its open end communicates with the interior of sleeve 21. Across the mouth of the open end of bore 58 is fitted a transverse bar or pin 6|, which serves a purpose to be hereinafter fully described.

7 Contact carrying structure 52 comprises a cylindrical body element 52 formed of insulating material and having recesses '63 and 64 extending thereinto one from eachend of the element, and terminating at integral shoulder portions 55 and 65 provided within element 62. A co-axial bore 61 interconnect-s the'recesses 63 and 64.

A pair of contact members 68 and 59 is mounted by body element 52, with contact member 68 being secured to shoulder 65 and contact member 59 to shoulder fifi by suitable connectors 1|. Terminal studs 12 adapted to be threaded into connectors ll serve to attach conducting leads 73 to the contact members 68 and 69. Each of the contact members 68 and 69 comprises an elongated resilient body portion 14 formed of a suitable material such as spring steeL, One end of the body portion. 14 is bent over, as at 15, to provide for mounting of the, contact member by a connector H. The contact members 68 and 69, at the free ends of their elongated body portions 14, carry contact faces 75; and H, which are maintained, in normal condition, spaced from one another. It is noted that a portion of bar member 6| extends into the space provided between these contact faces 15 and TI.

The elongated body portions 14, as best shown in Figure 3, are each provided with a cam portion "I8 located on its outer face and spaced from the free end. These cam portions 18 are convenientlyformed by being pressed from the body portions 14. i

With switching assembly 5i arranged within sleeve 21 the actuator 53 will lie disposed against the interior face of valve 42 and is maintained in contact therewith by a spring member 8|. Spring member 81 encircles cylindrical portion 54 of actuator 53 and bears at one end against annular portion 55, and at its other end against an insulating annular washer 82. The bias of spring member 8| serves to maintain valve 42 in sealing engagement with its cooperating valve seat 22.

Insulating Washer 82 rests upon an annular shoulder 83 formed in the wall of sleeve member 21. In pressing engagement with Washer 82 is the inner end of cylindrical body element 62 of the contact carrying structure 52. Projecting contact members 63 and 59 are adapted to pass through an opening in washer 82 and extend into recess 58 in actuator body 53 a sufiicient amount to locate the contact faces 15 and 1'! within the recess inwardly of pin 6|. Cam portions 18 on contact members B8 and 69 will lie disposed between the end of actuator 53 and washer 82.

A second insulating washer 84 is'fitted adjacent the outer end of cylindrical body element 52 and has a central opening therethrough into which is pressed a sealing grommet 85 formed of rubber or similar material. As is well known, the

I inherent resiliency of the material employed in the formation of the grommet 85 maintains the grommet Within the opening of the washer 84.

The construction herein described ailords an effective air-tight structure both in the prevention of leakage of air through the device it and in the sealing off of the contact members from the air flow to avoid possible corrosion thereof due to condensation of moisture present in the air. The compact and tight manner of assembling the contact carrying structure 52 and its associated elements, as above described, tends to prevent air-flow therepast to the area of the contact members, and the provision of the packing or scaling element 5! on actuator 53 acts to block the passage of any air past the actuator 53 to this same area.

With the cooperation of spring 8| leakage past the valve 42 is effectively prevented. Spring 8! seating against the washer 82 exerts its force to maintain actuator 53 in engagement with valve 42 and through this engagement to press th sealing ring 45 carried by valve 42 against valve seat 22, with the force required to prevent any leakage past the ring 45 or any movement of the valve 42. It is understood that a spring 8| is provided in the present invention that would have the strength required for effective performance.

In setting forth the operation of the combined switch and valve device it above described it is to be assumed that the invention is mounted in operative position to control the passage of a fluid, such as air, from a suitable conduit and the electric leads 73 are connected into a desired circuit.

Upon the application to the valve stem 46 of an actuating force of a magnitude sufiicient to overcome the force of spring 8! the valve 42 will be axially moved within sleeve member 21 to disengage sealing ring 45 from valve seat 22. Air will then pass from the bore 26 in cap 23 through transverse bores 38 in the same cap; into annular groove 31, through transverse bores 34, and over to transverse bores 35 by way of passageways '33 and thence into chamber I9 from which it flows through discharge ports 4| intothe, atmosphere.

spring 8 I ,ture 52. .recess 58 from their en agement with camming therefrom.

.wsimultaneously with theqopening of valve 42 theactuator 53.,abutting valve 42--.is;m0ve d-1with- -in sleeve :memberZl. against the bias ;of spring 8! and toward contact carrying structure -52.

This longitudinal movement-pf actuator 53-w-ill force the defining walls of recess 581m actuator :53 to engage camming portions ,18 on resilient contact members 68 and 69 andride thereupon. This operation results in the contact members 168 and 69 being moved one toward the otherto effect engagement of contact :face l6 qwith'conmaintained on the valve stem-46 to compress Upon relieving valve stem of this external force spring 81 will expand to; its .nor-

.mal length to move actuator-53 =towardend 28.0f

sleeve 21' and away iromcontact carrying struc- This movement removes thewalls of portions 18 on contact member 68 and 69, which permits these members to move-apart under the force of their inherent resiliency. Should the contact fflCaS l6 and T7 undesirably be welded together during a switchingoperation the transverse pin or bar member 6! disposed across the recess 58 will act to force them apart, since pin El is required to be positioned with a portion thereof disposed in the space separating the contact faces 16 and TI, and the force of spring8l' will be sufficient to cause bar Bl to come between and pry such contact faces apart should they be fused.

Expansion of spring 8| acts through actuator 53 to move valve 42 axially to force sealing ring be released, the switch. effecting operation of the control means which permits the air to flow from the air-filled compartment and the valve allowing the released air to flow through 'device I to atmosphere. A particular use for which the present combined switch and'valve device is intended is in aircraft of the pressurized type, the combinedswitchand valve device, assisting in the automatic discharge of air from the-airplane cabin to effect an equalization of the internal cabin air pressure with ground atmospheric pressure. With these pressures equalized there is no possibility of injuryoccurring to -a passenger, or to the airplane structure, by reason of asudden ejection of large masses of-air when the cabin door is opened. The combined switch and valve device It, when employed in aircraft for the above stated purpose, is located adjacent the landing gear in position to have its stem portion 48 of valve 42 engageable by a moving part of, the landing gear as the latter is compressed upon landing of theaircraft. .The moving valve 42 will operate the switching assembly to actuate the motor of the air pumping device .in the cabin to start the flow of air This air will pass through a connecting conduit from thecabin to device It and to escape by way of device [0 to atmosphere past the open valve and thereby. effectan equaliza- ..tion of internal cabin air pressure with external .air pressure.

understood that the invention is not limited structures from which air under pressure is to -:theretmasrmany-variations?will;;be;-readily-appar- .;.ent to those ,skilledflintheart and .the. invention .is' to be given its broadest possible; interpretation within the temns, .0f..the.f011OWirlg claims.

; I claim: ..l. A :combined electric switch and valve device -comprisinga fiuid-tighthousing having an opening extending therethrough-a valve seat formed in said housing, a valve means. movable intoand out of engagement with said:valve seat forcontrollingfiow: through said housing, a valve stem provided. by said valve; means and extending to theexterior .of said housing .and.,to which stem an external force may be applied'for eiiecting movement of the valve means, a covermember supported by .said housing at the-inlet end ofsaid opening, said. cover member having athrough .bore leading tothe openingsin'the housing, relasaid actuator means is moved to actuate said contact means to perform a switching operation, means for enclosing the contact means, and means, definin passageways'for bypassing said enclosed contact means and affordingcommunication .between'the bore .in the cover member and said valve seat.

2. A combined electric switch andvalveadevice comprising a fluid-tight housing having an'openr ing extending therethrough, a valve seat formed in said1housing,a;valve means movable into and the exterior of saidhousing and to which stem an external force may be. applied for eirecting movement of the valve means, aecover member supported by said housin at the inlet end of said opening, said cover member having a through bore leading to the opening in the housing, relatively movable contact means disposed in operative position-withinsaid housing, actuator means -formoving said contact; means between circuit ,makingand circuitbreaking positions, said actuatorm-eans havingan operative connection with .said valvegmeans whereby on .movement ofrsai-d valve means from engagement with its valve seat said actuator means ,is moved to actuate said contact means to perform a switching operation, means for enclosing, thecontact means, said enclosing means comprising a tubular member within which said contact means are supported and-within which said actuator means is movably fitted. for sealing one end of. the tubular member and means for closing the opposite .end of the tubularmember, and means defining passageways for bypassing said enclosed contact means ;,and affording communication between the bore in the cover member and said valve seat.

"flow through said outlet opening, a valve stern extending through saidoutlet opening to the exterior of said housing and to..which stem an external force may be applied for effecting move- ,ment of, the valve means, acap member supported by said housing at the inlet opening to said passage, said cap member having a through bore leading to the passage in th housing, a sleeve member disposed within said housing and extending from the cap member to a position adjacent said valve seat, said sleeve member having passageways formed in its exterior surface, which passageways connect with the bore in the cap member and with said valve seat to provide communication between said bore and said valve seat by way of the exterior of the sleeve member, relatively movable contact means supported within said sleeve member, and actuator means for moving said contact means between circuit making and circuit breaking positions, said actuator means having an operative connection with said valve means whereby on movement of said valve means from engagement with its valve seat said actuator means is moved to actuate said contact means to perform a switching operation.

4. An electric switch and valve assembly comprising a fluid-tight housing having a passage extending therethrough and terminating in inlet and outlet openings, a valve seat formed in said housing, a valve means movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat for controlling flow through said outlet opening, a valve stem extending through said outlet opening to the exterior of said housing and to which an external force may be applied for effecting movement of the valve means, a cap member supported by said housing at the inlet opening to said passage, said cap member having a through bore leading to the passage in the housing, a sleeve member disposed within said housing and extending from the cap member to a position adjacent said valve seat and with its exterior Wall surfaces contiguous, throughout the length of the sleeve member, to interior Wall surfaces of said housing, said sleeve member having longitudinal grooves formed in.

said exterior wall surfaces, which grooves connect with the bore in the cap member and with said valve seat to provide communication, exteriorly of the sleeve member, between said bore and said valve seat, cooperating movable contact means supported within said sleeve member and in disengaged position, an actuator means slidably supported within said sleeve member for moving said contact means into engagement, said actuator means having an operative connection with said valve means whereby on movement of said valve means from engagement with its valve seat said actuator means is moved to operate said contact means to engaged position, and means for enclosing the contact means within said sleeve member.

5. An electric switch and valve arrangement comprising a housing having an opening extending therethrough a valve seat formed in said housing, a valve means movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat for controlling flow through said housing, a valve stem provided by said valve means and extending to the exterior of said housing and to which stem an external force may be applied for effecting movement of the valve means, a cover member supported by said housing at the inlet end of said opening, said cover member having a through bore leading to the opening in the housing, relatively movable contact means contained within said housing, said contact means comprising a pair of spaced elongated engageable members normally biased to disengaged positions, actuator means for moving said pair of contact members into engage- 'ment, said actuator means comprising a generally cylindrical body portion having means for'enmeans is moved to engage and move said elongated contact members to perform a switching operation, and means defining passageways for bypassing said enclosed contact means and affording communication between the bore in th cover member and said valve seat. 6. An electric switch and valve device comprising a housing having a co-axial passage extending therethrough and terminating in inlet and outlet openings, a valve seat formed in said housing, a valve means movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat for controlling ilow through said outlet openng, a valve stem extending through said outlet opening to the ex terior of said housing and to which stem an external force may be applied for eflecting movement of the valve means, a cap member supported by said housing at the in ct opening to said passage, said cap member having a through bore leading to the passage in the hous'ng, a

sleeve member disposed within said housing with its exterior wall surfaces lying contiguous to interior wall surfaces of the housing and extending from the cap member to a position adjacent said valve seat, sad sleeve member having longitudinal grooves formed in its exterior surface, which grooves connect with the bore in the cap member and with said valve seat to provide communication between said bore and said valve seat, a support member mounted within said sleeve member, relatively movable contact means carried by said support member, sa'd contact means comprising a pair of spaced elongated members normally biased to circuit breaking position, actuator means for moving said pair of contact members into engagement to complete an electrical circuit, said actuator means compr. sing a generally cylindrical body portion movably fitted into-one end of said actuator sleeve and having means for engaging and moving said contact members into circuit making position, said actuator means having an operative connection with said valve means whereby on movement of said valve means from engagement with its valve seat said actuator means is moved to actuate said contact means to perform a switching operation, and means for enclosing the contact means within said sleeve member, said means comprising the actuator means fitting into one end of said sleeve member and a sealing means closing the opposite end of the sleeve member.

7. An electric switch and valve arrangement comprising a housing having an opening extending therethrough, a valve seat formed in said housing, a Valve means movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat for controlling flow through said housing, a valve stem provided by said valve means and extending to the exterior of said housing and to which stem an external force may be applied for eifecting movement of the valve means, a cover member supported by said housing at the inlet end of said opening,

.9: said cover member-having-a through bore lead ing to the opening in-thehousing,re atively movable contact means contained within said ihousing; said contactmeanscompris'ng'a'pair of spaced elongatedrengageable' members normally biased to disengaged-positions, actuator means" for moving said" pair of contact members into engagement, saidactuator means comprising aninsulating body portion having. means for. engaging and moving' said elongated contact members into circuit'making position, means carried by sai insulating body portion adaptedto pass.

between said elongated contact members on movement of said insulating body portion fromengagementwith the contact members to provide a pry ng action thereon. should such contact members fuse together during a switching operation, means for. enclosing said contact means, said means comprising a tubular member having a support therein on which the contact means are supported, the actuator means, which is sidably fittedinto one end'of said tubular. member to close said end, and a seaingmeans for closng the opposite end of said tubular member. saidactuator means having an, operative connection with said valve means whereby on .movement .of said valve means from engagement'with its valve seat said actuator means is moved to engage and move said elon ated contact members to perform a switching operation, and means definng passageways for bypassing said enclosed contact means and affording communication between the bore in the cover member and said valve seat.

8. A combined electric switch and valve arrangement comprisin a unitary housing having a co-axial passage extending therethrough and terminating in inlet and outlet openings, an annular shoulder formed within said housing, a valve seat disposed around said annular shoulder, a valve means movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat for controlling flow through said outlet opening, a valve stem extending through said outlet opening to the exterior of said housing and to which stem an external force may be applied for efiecting movement of the valve means, a cap member supported by said housing at the inlet opening to said passage, said cap member having an axial bore therethrough leading to the passage in the housing, a sleeve member disposed within said housing with its exterior wall surfaces contiguous to interior wall surfaces of said housing and extending from the cap member to rest on said annular shoulder, said sleeve member having longitudinal grooves formed in its exterior wall surfaces, said sleeve member having transverse bores provided through one end interconnecting with transverse bores through said cap member to provide a connection between the axial bore in said cap member and said grooves, said sleeve member having transverse bores provided at its opposite end interconnecting said grooves with the valve seat thereby providing communication between said axial bore and said valve seat, relatively movable contact means supported Within said sleeve member, and actuator means for moving said contact means between circuit making and circuit breaking positions, said actuator means having an operative connection with said valve means whereby on movement of said valve means from engagement with its valve seat said actuator means is moved to actuate said contact means to perform a switching operation.

9. A combined electric switch and valve device'compris lng a unitary'housinghaving a-passage extending therethrough and terminatin in. inlet and outlet openings, a valve seat formedinsaid housing, a.valve meansmovable into and out of engagement with said valve seat for controlling flow through said outlet opening, a valve stem extending through said outlet. opening to the exterior of'said housing and to which stem an external force may be applied for effecting;

movement of the valve means, a cap member supported by said housing at the inlet opening to said passage, said cap member having a through.

bore. leading. to the passage in the housing, switching means contained within said housing, a support for said switching means, saidswitching. means comprising a pairof spaced elongated contact members .formed of aresilient material and normally maintained, disengaged, camming.

means on..said .contact.members, actuator means. for moving said elongated contact arms.-into.en

gagement, said actuator means comprisingan in-.-

sulatin body member havinga recess therein and into which said elongated contact members.

pro ect, spring means interposed between said ac.- tuator means and said switching means support for maintaining said actuator means normally spaced from said support, said actuator means;

having an operative connection with said valve means whereby on movement of said valve means from engagement with its valve seat said actuator means is moved toward said switching means support to bring the defining walls of said insulating body recess into engagement with the camming means on said contact members to move the latter into circuit making position, means for enclosing said switching means, said means comprisin a tubular member adapted to mount said switching means support, the actuator means, which is slidably fitted into one end of said tubular member to close said end, and a sealing means for closing the opposite end of said tubular member, and means defining passageways for bypassing said enclosed switching means and afiording communication between the bore in the cover member and said valve seat.

10. The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein there is provided means carried by said insulating body member adapted on return movement of said insulating body member away from the switching means support a pass between said pair of elongated contact members to provide a prying action thereon should such contact members fuse together during a switching operation.

11. An electric switch and valve assembly comprising a unitary housing having a co-axial passage extending therethrough and terminating in inlet and outlet openings, an annular shoulder formed within said housing, a valve seat disposed around said annular shoulder, a valve means movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat for controlling flow through said outlet opening, a valve stem extending through said outlet opening to the exterior of said housing and to which stem an external force may be applied for efiecting movement of the valve means, a cap member supported by said housing at the inlet opening to said passage, said cap member having an axial bore therethrough leading to the passage in the housing, a sleeve member disposed within said housing with its exterior wall surfaces contiguous to interior wall and extending from the cap member to rest against said annular shoulder, said sleeve member having longitudinal grooves formed in its exterior wall surfaces, said sleeve member having transverse bores provided through one end interconnecting with transverse bores through said cap member to provide a connection between the axial bore in said cap member and said grooves, said sleeve member having transverse bores provided at its opposite end interconnecting said grooves with the valve seat thereby providing communication between said axial bore and said valve seat, a support means mounted within said sleeve member, switching means carried by said support means, said switching means comprising a pair of spaced elongated contact members formed of a resilient material and normally maintained disengaged, camming means on said contact members, actuator means for moving said elongated contact arms into engagement, said actuator means comprising an insulating body member having a recess therein and into which said elongated contact members project, spring means interposed between said actuator means and said switching means support forv i 12 ming means on said elongated contact members to move the latter into circuit making position, and means for sealing said switching means within said sleeve member, said means comprising said actuator means, which is slidably fitted into one end of said sleeve member to close said end, and a sealing means for closing the opposite end of said sleeve member.

12, In an electric switch and valve assemblyas set forth in claim 11, means carried by said insulating body member adapted on return movement of said insulating body member away from the switching means support to pass between said pair of elongated contact members to provide a prying action thereon should such contact members fuse together during a switching operation.

LAWRENCE J. BORDELON.

, REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the dle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,976,559 Helfand Oct. 9, 1934 1,989,064 Schiavulli Jan. 22, 1935 2,436,680 Straussler Feb. 24, 1948 

